Larimer County Commissioners forgo fire ban but urge caution

Dec. 11, 2012

Written by

Coloradoan staff

Larimer County commissioners declined to enact a fire ban on Tuesday, but acknowledged that the risk of fire remains high.

Sheriff Justin Smith and Undersheriff Bill Nelson told the board that the dry conditions this December do not distinguish it from past years, and camping activity has cooled along with the daily temperatures, eliminating one of the more treacherous practices as it relates to wildfires. Smith said a campfire is being eyed as the possible cause of the Fern Lake Fire burning in Rocky Mountain National Park.

But as it stands, only fires by permit are currently allowed in the county, Nelson said.

Commissioner Lew Gaiter said in the absence of specific criteria that currently don’t exist in Larimer County, the board lacks legal authority to impose a fire ban.

“If we were trying to get rid of man-caused fires, we would need a permanent fire ban,” Gaiter said, and state law forbids that.

Although no ban was imposed, commissioners and the sheriff’s office urged citizens to be mindful of the high risk of fire and avoid behavior that could cause wildfires.